The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-01-15

interfere, tnat nc nao UuS lew thohChs''O
live, and to prepare at once for the exc
cution. He at once took of the gray
suit, that he has worn so long, and put
on in its place the suit Of black which
had been procured for him. He was as
| sisted by Deputy Sergeant 9. M. Johnson
and Mr.. Dunn, the death-watch. His
toilet was completed in few moments,
after which DR.. Hatcher offered short
prayer. At 1885 Sergeant Smith in
| formed the unfortunate man that the
time had arrived, and was answered by
the prisoner, in a calm, collected manner,
free from all emotion" am ready to go
with you"
TUE WALK TO DEATH.
At 1855 Sergeant Matthews, with a
squad of police, entered the yard where
the execution was TO occur, and opened a
walk way through the crowd, at the same
time forcing back the crowd from the
scaffold for some distance.
At precisely o'clock a loud cheering
and excitement among the crowd on the
hill above the Jail warned the waiting
spectators that the death-procession was
approaching.
Oul Vi lUc ttlI, MlCiC Ilt nos pNth 'N'
year and half, bravely came Cluve-
rius with firm. steady step. Sergeant
Brooks led the procession; then came the
prisoner between Sergeant Smith and Dep
uty Macon; then DR.. Hatcher and Deputy
Allen Down the steps into the courtyard
of the Jail they wendell their way. As'he
entered the yard and caught the first
glimpse of the scaffold an involuntary
shudder passed through the doomed
mans frame, and groan escaped from
his lips. This was the only sign he gave.
| Along the whole length Of the yard and
IN the scaffold stairs he walked unfiinch-
ingly. At two minutes past the party
were on the scaffold. The CONDEMNED man
appeared pale, hut considering the length
| of time he had been incarceraled, looked
better than was to be expected. lie
looked complacently around at the star
ing crowd below him, and then glanced
upward at the cross beam TO which the
rope was attached. He seemed to sicken
at the sight Of the vari-colOred rope, but
regained his wonted composure In mo-
ment The prisoner had on black wa
ter-proof cloak so as to hide his hands,
which were tied, and wore light-gray
felt hat
READING OF THE DEATH-w WARRANT.
As the prisoner assembled the scaffold
stairs every head was barred. The
prisoner took his position in the middle
of the platform facing the crowd. Ser
gcant Smith, in clear voice, read the
death-warrant Then turning TO Cluve-
RUS asked him if he had anything to say.
In voice so low as TO be Whisper he
replied that he had not, and requested
DR.. Hatcher to pray for him: Dr.
| Hatcher knelt and, in voice broken by
grief and sorrow, prayed TO the Healer
of All Woes to comfort the poor un-
fortunate in the hour Of his dire affliction.
When the prayer was over Cluverius
whispered to Dr. Hatcher, who advanced
10 the front of the scaffold and said that
he was requested to state that the prisoner
bore no i'll will to anyone on earth.
During the whole time he was on the
scaffold the prisoner was perfectly com
posed except for slight quivering OF the
eyes.
THE FATAL DROP.
DR.. Hatcher then retired. Deputy
Allen securely tied the legs Of the con
demned man, put the black cap over his
face, and adjusted the moose, the knot
being directly behind the ear Deputy
Macon reached out his hand behind him
and dropped his handkerchief at 1903. In
second the string which was attached
to the bolt was ierked back by Deputy {.
NJ. johnson, who was stationed in cell
directly opposite the foot of the scalfold,
and the body silently and swiftly shot
downwards for eight feet.
The rope began to stretch, and in few
moments the toes of the dying man were
within fraction of an inch Of the ground.
Luckily the knot did not slip as was in
tended, but simply stretched, otherwise
the feet would have rested upon the
ground and the painful and disgusting
sight of hanging man twice would have
been witnessed.
At first all was still, but in few sec
onds the legs of the body began TO twitch
from muscular action only. Then they
were drawn up, and in few moments
all was still.
THE NECK BROKEN.
A few seconds after the body fell a
SOuDu as ii Ol CuOhllS blu Sul Guns N"S
heard. This led many to believe that
death was caused by strangulation. But
upon official examination it was ascer-
tanned that the neck was broken, and the
noise heard was the simple rattle Incl
dent to death.
After hanging six minutes the pulse
registered 90; in nine minutes his pulse
was 30, and eleven minutes from the time
he trap was sprung life was extinct. At
1876, after having been suspended for
twenty-six minutes, the body was cut
down.
NEARLY A RIOT.
Just at this time the cry of "polce"
was raised outside the Jail. All the
officers inside rushed out, and for a few
moments the scene was one of great dis
order and excitement. The wagon OF the
undertaken had driven up to the gate with
the coffin for the dead man, and the
crowd seeing the gate open, attempted to
rush in. BY liberal use of their clubs
the police drove them back in few
moments, and quiet was restored.